Sectionalizer with externally mounted electronic controller

Abstract

An electronic sectionalizer includes mounting structure including first and second electrical contacts spaced from one another and electrically conductive structure having an external surface and provided with first and second electrical terminals adapted to engage the first and second electrical contacts of the mounting structure in a closed condition of thesectionalizer. The sectionalizer provides for the release of the electrically conductive structure from engagement with at least the first electrical contact to permit the electrically conductive structure to move from the closed position to an open position, and an actuator is provided for actuating the release. A detector is provided to detect a predetermined condition in the sectionalizier and the actuator is controlled in response to the detection by an electronic control circuit mounted to the external surface of the conductor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sectionalizer apparatus comprising: mounting structure including first and second electrical contacts spaced from one another;   rigid electrically conductive structure having an external surface and provided with first and second electrical terminals adapted to engage the first and second electrical contacts of the mounting structure when the sectionalizer is in a closed condition;   release means for releasing the electrically conductive structure from engagement with at least the first electrical contact to permit the electrically conductive structure to move from the closed position to an open position;   actuating means for actuating the release means; and   control means for detecting a condition in the sectionalizer and for controlling the actuator in response to the detection, the control means including an electronic control circuit mounted to the external surface of the conductive structure,   said conductive structure being capable of carrying the normal electrical current load imposed on the sectionalizer in use, and of sufficient structural strength to support the control means and carry mechanical load applied on the conductive structure by the contacts when the structure is in said closed condition.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive structure is a tube having a hollow interior region. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the actuating means is disposed in the hollow interior region of the tube. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control means includes detection means for sensing the current through the conductive structure. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the detection means includes a current transformer. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control means includes detection means for sensing the condition in the sectionalizer, the detection means including a detector mounted to the external surface of the conductor. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control means includes power means for providing power to the control circuit, the power means being mounted to the external surface of the conductor. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising housing means for positioning the control circuit relative to the electrically conductive structure and for protecting the control circuit from exposure to the environment. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising housing means for positioning the control means relative to the electrically conductive structure and for protecting the control means from exposure to the environment. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the housing means is formed of a potting compound. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the control means includes detection means for sensing the condition in the sectionalizer, the detection means including a detector embedded in the potting compound of the housing means. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the control means includes power means for providing power to the control circuit, the power means including a current transformer which is embedded in the potting compound of the housing means. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the housing means includes an opening through which the control circuit is accessible. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a cover on the opening which protects the control circuit from exposure to the environment and which is manually removable to permit access to the control circuit. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sectionalizer is adapted to operate at a predetermined current rating, the control circuit including a circuit board having at least one set of terminals adapted to permit adjustment of the current rating of the sectionalizer. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the condition sensed by the control means is a current flow period including a surge of current through the electrically conductive structure followed by a current dead interval. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein the actuator is triggered upon detection by the control means of a predetermined number of current flow periods the control circuit including a circuit board having at least one set of terminals adapted to permit adjustment of the predetermined number of current flow periods necessary to trigger the actuating means.